Page 34 of Redemption (Deliverance Duet #2)
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alaric
T he urge to cling onto Iris like one of those tree hugging bears they have in the human land is fierce. Glancing at her as we hurry through the Unseelie city, I force myself not to pull her into my arms. We’re being watched, and appearances are important, so if I were to hold her that way, then it would make others think she’s weak. The Unseelie may have surprised me with how welcoming they have been, but I won’t let my guard down around them. It would be impossible to do so when I’ve experienced the worst of them.
Fae have developed over the millennia from fearsome creatures ruled by their savage instincts to highly intelligent creatures. Some believe this is when the two courts originated, the Seelie choosing to better themselves, while the Unseelie enjoyed our more primal natures.
We are still highly protective, possessive beings and still have those baser instincts, but we also have the ability to control them. Being separated from Iris blurred the line between intellect and instinct, chipping away at my free will until all that was left was the urge to find her.
Thanks to her, I am back to myself, yet that barrier between who I am and my baser instincts is much thinner than it used to be. I find it hard to hold myself back when she’s in a dangerous situation or something even mildly threatening. I know she can handle herself, especially with what she just learned, but it’s useless trying to tell myself that when my control is so flimsy.
Our journey back has been fast and a blur of information, as Blaise and Iris explain everything they learned along the way. The plan makes sense, and I’ll follow Iris wherever she needs to go. I don’t understand why we aren’t just going now if time is of the essence, but Iris seems to think that Queen Sola deserves an explanation first.
Ciaran strides ahead of us, leading the way through the palace within the tree, guards and other fae scurrying out of his way. I may not like him, but I appreciate how seriously he takes his bond with our mate. Again, there is no physical contact, but we are all close enough that it makes it clear we are involved, with Blaise bringing up the rear.
A strange, long-limbed fae tries to stop us, but Ciaran makes an odd twisting motion with his hand, and the creature is pushed back by an invisible force. The scent of magic fills the hall as we pass the flabbergasted fae. The guards outside the large hall we saw her in before watch on with shocked expressions, not bothering to stop us.
“Sola,” Ciaran calls loudly, his voice echoing around the room.
Queen Sola is at a table on the other side of the room, frowning down at the scroll she’s reading. Straightening at Ciaran’s voice, she turns with a raised brow at our abrupt entrance. “Lord Ciaran. Goddess,” she greets, dipping her head in reverence to Iris. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit? Has something happened?” There is a mix of both annoyance and concern in her voice, which makes me think she wouldn’t stand for this type of interruption in any other situation, even from her friend.
Iris steps forward, her expression conflicted. “I have some answers.”
I tune out as Iris explains everything that transpired with the goddess to the Queen of the Unseelie Court. Instead, I watch her. I barely notice other females since Iris came into my life. It is like a veil has been placed over my eyes, and those I once thought were beautiful now pale in comparison to my Iris. No, my eyes are only for my mate.
Her face is lit up, and her body language is open as she speaks. Uncertainty bubbles inside her, filtering through the bond to me, and I know it’s not because she doesn’t know whether to believe the goddess or not. She doesn’t think she is enough or if she can live up to the expectation placed on her. Frankly, I’m not at all surprised that she’s actually a goddess in human form. I knew she was different from the moment I saw her. As we spent more time together and her powers began to emerge, it became clear that she was something more.
What is a revelation to me, though, is that I’m not jealous of the bond formed between her and Blaise. I know there’s nothing other than friendship and loyalty between them, and I trust them both implicitly. Honestly, I’m glad she has that extra protection. Blaise is one of the people I trust the most in this world, and I couldn’t choose a better male to befriend her.
Take her from here.
The thought jolts through me, causing my body to tense. Gritting my teeth, I take a deep breath to settle myself. No, she is safer here than anywhere else right now, especially with Ciaran here as well. If my father tries to get to her, he will have to go through the entire Unseelie Court first.
There’s a hiss in the back of my mind, but I pay it no heed, that primal part of me rearing its head at the thought of anyone trying to hurt her. I’m mostly able to ignore it and the urge to jump into action. The only time this becomes more difficult is when she’s threatened. I simply have to learn to live with that in the back of my mind, a scar from the time Iris and I were separated.
“You’re leaving? Where will you go?” Queen Sola’s question cuts through my thoughts, and I drag my gaze from my mate to focus on the conversation.
They are discussing finding Nyx. I need to pay attention, seeing as there’s no way I’m letting Iris out of my sight. How does one find the god of death?
Iris shifts her weight from foot to foot, a sure sign that she’s nervous. Her eyes land on Ciaran and then me, and I realise this anxiety isn’t about what she must do, but about having to tell us, which means we are not going to like it one bit. I’m already gritting my teeth, my hands balled at my sides. Iris sees this, and it only makes her feel worse. She takes a deep breath and looks at Queen Sola.
“Something is wrong. Nyx hasn’t been responding to me.” Her expression is grim but determined. “However, I know where he is.”
She refuses to look at Ciaran or myself, so I know it’s going to be bad news for us.
“I need to summon the Fates.”
My stomach sinks with that bombshell. Well, shit.